Association between Endothelial Selectin (E-selectin) gene polymorphisms and E-selectin level with visceral leishmaniais, in an ARMS-PCR based study

Background: In the visceral leishmaniasis (VL), parasites reside in reticuluendothelial system, mainly in macrophages. Endothelial Selectin (E-selectin) might play an important role in leukocyte-endothelium interactions and inflammatory cell recruitment. The aim of this study was determining E-selectin level and its polymorphism in three groups, patients, seropositive and healthy individuals. Methods: Serum soluble E-selectin levels as well as 2 polymorphisms of E-selectin (Ser128Arg and Leu554Phe) were measured in a cohort of patients with documented VL (n=64), a healthy control group (n=74) and a seropositive for VL but without any symptoms (n=81). Circulation concentration of E-selectin levels was measured by ELIS. The amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS)-PCR procedure was used for detecting polymorphisms. Results: The mean of E-selectin levels significantly differed between three groups (P<0.026), and were increased in patients in comparison with other groups. Difference was more considerable between two groups of patients and healthy ones (patients 92.8 ng/ml; healthy individuals 71.9 ng/ml). Polymorphisms were associated with soluble E-selectin levels and altogether explained 14.4%, 7.2%, and 8.7% in patients, seropositive and seronegative healthy individuals, respectively. Distribution of polymorphisms of 128Ser/Arg and 554Leu/Phe among three groups was not different significantly; however, there was a considerable arrangement in distribution of Ser128Arg polymorphism and 128Arg allele in healthy group was more than two fold of patients (55% against 20%). Conclusion: The association between soluble E-selectin levels and visceral leishmaniasis suggests that this molecule might have significant role in the inflammatory process in VL. Moreover, frequency of 128Arg allele in healthy group was higher than patients

Application of sodium alginate cover in frozen and cleaned common kilka and its quality evaluation by bacterial,chemical and sensory tests

This project was carried out to increase shelf life of kilka and prevent color changes during cold storage. Edible film made by sodium alginate (0.5% concentration) was used for fish packaging at time zero. The covered samples were kept at -18°C. Examination were carried out for a period of six months. Coliform, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas bacteria contamination were negative until the end of storage period in the covered samples. Total bacterial counts and Acetaphylococcus bacteria count were lower in the treated samples (2.93 and 1.46log cfu/g, respectively) compared with the control specimens (3.21 and 2.28log cfu/g, respectively). Chemical factors consisting of humidity, protein, lipid, ash and calorie were higher in the treated samples (73.34%, 18.96%, 4.62%, 2.88% and 134. 63% kcal/kg, respectively) compared with the control samples (59.43%, 18.04%, 4.03%, 2.87% and 108.43% kcal/kg, respectively) and fresh fish samples (73.93%, 18.91%, 4.59%, 2.87% and 117.28% kcal/kg, respectively). Free fatty acids (0.77 and 9.21g/100), thiobarbitoric acid (0.001 and 0.15mg/kg), peroxide value (0.06 and 3.75meq/kg oil), TVN (6.92 and 16.28mg/100g) and pH (6.34 and 6.91) were lower in the treated samples compared with the control samples. However, no statistically significant decreases were observed in chemical factors including moisture, peroxide value, TVN and pH in the covered samples compared with the control samples during cold storage (P>0.05). According to the statistical analyses of sensory specifications including taste, odor, color, tissue and total acceptance, there was a significant difference between the covered samples and the control ones (P<0.05). Using the results of bacterial, chemical and sensory tests and statistical analyses, the covered samples had a favorable quality until the end of storage period. Also, based on the results of sensory analyses and moisture test, the control samples had a favorable quality for a period of three months

Effect of coating time by sodium alginate edible film on quality and shelf life of frozen kilka (Clupidaes delicatula)

This project was carried out in order to increase the shelf life of Kilka Fish and prevent color changes during cold storage. Edible film made of sodium alginate (1% concentration) was used for fish packaging. This project was carried out in four treatments and in triplicates. Treatments were coated samples at intervales times of 0, 2 and 4 hours shelf life in sodium alginate solution and uncoated Kilka (control samples). The coated and control samples were kept at -18 oC. Examinations were carried out for a period of six months. Examination was conducted on 21 packs from each treatment on day 1 after processing and from first month untill sixth month after processing. Total bacterial counts and Staphylococcus bacteria count were lower in the coated samples compared to the control samples. Coliform, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas bacteria contamination were not observed until the end of storage period in the coated samples. Moisture was less in the coated samples at time = 0 and was highest in the coated samples at time = 4 hour. Peroxide value, free fatty acids, thiobarbitoric acid, TVN and pH were higher in coated samples at time = 0 compared with other samples and in coated samples at time = 4 were lower compared with other samples. Statistically significant (p<0.05) decreases were observed in the coated and control samples during cold – storage. Sensory analysis carried out based on ranking method. Over all there was a significant difference (p<0.05) between the coated samples and control ones. The coated samples at time = 0 had the best quality. The coated samples at time= 4 hour had lower quality. According to the results, the coated samples had good quality until the end of storage period. Based on the results of sensory analysis the coated samples maintained quality for a period of three months

Bilevel optimization approach to design of network of bike lanes

A bike lane is an effective way to improve cycling safety and to decrease greenhouse gas emissions with the promotion of cycling. Improvements include high-quality off-road facilities and on-road bike lanes. Whereas construction of off-road lanes is not always possible because of urban land constraints and construction costs, on-road lanes can be a cost-effective alternative. An optimization framework for the design of a network of bike lanes in an urban road network was proposed. This framework identified links on which a bike lane could be introduced. Allocation of a lane to cyclists would increase the use of cycling, although it could disadvantage auto traffic. The presented approach balances the effects of a bike lane for all stakeholders. A bilevel optimization was proposed to encompass the benefits of cyclists and car users at the upper level and a model for traffic and bike demand assignment at the lower level. The objective function was defined by a weighted sum of a measure for private car users (total travel time) versus a measure for bike users (total travel distance on bike lanes). A genetic algorithm was developed to solve the bilevel formulation, which included introduction of a special crossover technique and a mutation technique. The proposed optimization will help transport authorities at the planning stage to quantify the outcomes of various strategies for active transport

Scoping review of indicators and methods of measurement used to evaluate the impact of dog population management interventions

Background: Dogs are ubiquitous in human society and attempts to manage their populations are common to most countries. Managing dog populations is achieved through a range of interventions to suit the dog population dynamics and dog ownership characteristics of the location, with a number of potential impacts or goals in mind. Impact assessment provides the opportunity for interventions to identify areas of inefficiencies for improvement and build evidence of positive change. Methods: This scoping review collates 26 studies that have assessed the impacts of dog population management interventions. Results: It reports the use of 29 indicators of change under 8 categories of impact and describes variation in the methods used to measure these indicators. Conclusion: The relatively few published examples of impact assessment in dog population management suggest this field is in its infancy; however this review highlights those notable exceptions. By describing those indicators and methods of measurement that have been reported thus far, and apparent barriers to efficient assessment, this review aims to support and direct future impact assessment

Evaluation of The Results of Surgical and Medical Treatment In 16 Patients With Vertigo Secondary to Cervical Spondylosis

Background:In patients with cervical spondylosis,cord compression and impingement of cord vessels as well as the vertebral artery may be accompanied by vertigo.We evaluated improvement of vertigo in these patients after surgical and medical treatment.Methods:In this prospective study we reviewed 16 patients with vertigo suspected of cervical spondylosis,admitted to our hospital between 1999 and 2004. Before orthopedic examination,other causes of vertigo related to the field of ENT and neurologic problems had been ruled out.Dynamic angiography and /or Doppler sonography were performed in patients during flexion and extension and rotation of the cervical spine. Operations such as laminectomy and foraminotomy and resection of osteophytes were performed in patients who did not improve by conservative treatment. Results: There were ten males and six females, with a mean age of 62.5 years. Twelve patients had cervical canal stenosis, and four patients also had vertebral artery stenosis. In two patients angioplasty of the vertebral artery was performed. Operations were performed in twelve patients and conservative treatment was used in four patients.Surgical treatment gave good relief of symptoms and was satisfactory in eight patients and not satisfactory in four patients.Conservative treatment improved symptoms in one patient,and was not satisfactory in three patients (p <.05).Conclusion:Vertigo occurs in patients with cervical spondylosis,especially in old patients with spondylosis.In most cases we had improvement of vertigo by surgical decompression of the cervical cord and arteries

Evaluation Of The Results Of Surgical And Medicaltreatment In 16 Patients With Vertigo Secondary Tocervical Spondylosis

Background: In patients with cervical spondylosis, cord compression and impingement of cord vessels as well as the vertebral artery may be accompanied by vertigo. We evaluated improvement of vertigo in these patients after surgical and medical treatment. Methods: In this prospective study we reviewed 16 patients with vertigo suspected of cervical spondylosis, admitted to our hospital between 1999 and 2004. Before orthopedic examination, other causes of vertigo related to the field of ENT and neurologic problems had been ruled out. Dynamic angiography and /or Doppler sonography were performed in patients during flexion and extension and rotation of the cervical spine. Operations such as laminectomy and foraminotomy and resection of osteophytes were performed in patients who did not improve by conservative treatment. Results: There were ten males and six females, with a mean age of 62.5 years. Twelve patients had cervical canal stenosis, and four patients also had vertebral artery stenosis. In two patients angioplasty of the vertebral artery was performed. Operations were performed in twelve patients and conservative treatment was used in four patients. Surgical treatment gave good relief of symptoms and was satisfactory in eight patients and not satisfactory in four patients. Conservative treatment improved symptoms in one patient, and was not satisfactory in three patients (p <.05). Conclusion: Vertigo occurs in patients with cervical spondylosis, especially in old patients with spondylosis. In most cases we had improvement of vertigo by surgical decompression of the cervical cord and arteries

Impact of heavy vehicles on surrounding traffic characteristics

This work examines the impact of heavy vehicle movements on measured traffic characteristics in detail. Although the number of heavy vehicles within the traffic stream is only a small percentage, their impact is prominent. Heavy vehicles impose physical and psychological effects on surrounding traffic flow because of their length and size (physical) and acceleration/deceleration (operational) characteristics. The objective of this work is to investigate the differences in traffic characteristics in the vicinity of heavy vehicles and passenger cars. The analysis focuses on heavy traffic conditions (level of service E) using a trajectory data of highway I-80 in California. The results show that larger front and rear space gaps exist for heavy vehicles compared with passenger cars. This may be because of the limitations in manoeuvrability of heavy vehicles and the safety concerns of the rear vehicle drivers, respectively. In addition, heavy vehicle drivers mainly keep a constant speed and do not change their speed frequently. This work also examines the impact of heavy vehicles on their surrounding traffic in terms of average travel time and number of lane changing manoeuvres using Advanced Interactive Microscopic Simulator for Urban and Non-Urban Networks (AIMSUN) microscopic traffic simulation package. According to the results, the average travel time increases when proportion of heavy vehicles rises in each lane